I have a lot on my plate right now

I know, it's been more than a month since my last post. I've been really busy (who isn't!). This was my big project today.



No, no, that's not me. (I wish--the body anyway).

I'm hosting a baby shower for my friend. Her story is incredible, and I'm glad I get to be a part of this. She was told before she married that she would never be able to bear children. Her husband married her knowing this. Despite all the medical evidence against it, she is pregnant and due mid February! I'm so excited for her. We had a little photo shoot today :) (it's all for the memories folks! it's my first shoot.) I have lots of other ideas for her shower, which I'll post after the party (Nov. 8th). This is really fun. It feels good to be able to help someone who really needs it and appreciates it.

We're all doing wonderfully. Pictures to come soon, when I get a moment. Although, Brian's leaving for a week this next week and (since our other computer's hard drive is pretty much in shambles), I won't be able to post any pictures! Brian has everything on his laptop and of course his laptop goes wherever he goes! So, maybe it'll be another month but pictures of the kids and fam will come! :)

everyday, more amazed at the details.

I'm always impressed but I was particularly taken with this drawing. Apparently (this is the story lance tells), a bad guy shot a nail into my wrist, but then lance pulled it out and called the ambulance. So, the ambulance showed up with a gun in holster and handcuffs and a back-up gun in his bag, to save my life and take the bad guy to jail.

What I was particularly taken with this time is the symbol on the hat, shirt and both shoes of the hero. It's a symbol I was familiar with as a child, only b/c my dad's a dentist (medical field). But I've never pointed this out to lance and had no idea he made the correct association. (I'm slow, but as a child I always wondered what a snake and staff had to do with medical stuff--I associated that with Moses and the snakes when everyone was bitten and he told them to look to the staff and they would be saved...yeah, I wasn't too bright.)

ANYWAY, I asked him what it was and without any prompting he said, "Oh, those are the things on the amblience trucks in this real world." "Lance! How did you know that, I had no idea you even noticed that before." "I saw it on the truck and it means, even if a snake bites us we can save you and make you alive again."

So, there you have it. Lance's interpretation of the staff and snake. At least he associates it with help. (rather than death like I used to).


(yes, he says amblience).

another one

Really, this is more for my parents than anyone. Top picture: that's us at the beach with sharks and other fish in the ocean. Then the box in the middle is "zero voice level." It's something they do in their kindergarten class. I don't really understand it, but apparently in this picture, "he has zero voice level so he can sneak and kill the bad guy." Then there I am (surprise), holding Ivy. Then there's our house with a gigantic key--is that a good enough tour?. Then Brian at the bottom. or maybe that was baby Brian. or maybe that's how lance sees Brian since he's losing some hair up front. hahaha. (don't take it personally Brian, I think it's hilarious). :)

do you think i let him watch this too much?

genie and lamp, aladdin and monkey, jaffar and bird, jasmine.

Lance's quote of the day.

"Don't squeeze me too hard, I might poop my pants."

and then we went to bed.

well, he went to the bathroom, and then we went to bed.

A gift for Ivy. o.k., o.k., it's really for me.

Not my color of choice, but for only $15 on craigslist, I'm happy.

I don't think I know many mothers, these days, who don't have one of these.


Between this, the moby wrap and the bouncy seat, we're covered. (waking time anyway).

I know it's really good for babies to be flat on their backs, but she still sleeps a lot and with all of her sleep time, I can't imagine she wants to be laying on the floor during awake time too. So, we're switching it up a bit.

Next purchase? A bobby. I like the idea for tummy time. Obviously I've never had one, and I don't absolutly need one. I just want one. that's all. And thanks to craigslist I'll be able to get one. for only $7.

Lance lately

He's an entertainer.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. . .

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. . .

all the kings men and all the kings horses. . .

couldn't put Humpty together again!

It's his favorite rhyme from school and it's hilarious to watch him with Ivy.

He can swim all over the pool.

He knows how to dive.

He loves seeing pictures of himself, but he isn't excited about getting them taken.

I'm lucky I got these. Most of the time he ducks under before I can get anything.

What can I say? We pick him up and are home from school around 3:15. Then we go to the pool, then it's dinner and bed. We really don't get much interaction anymore. I sure do love him though.

Spencer lately

He loves cars. Always has. Planes too. Pretty much anything with a fast, loud engine or propellers.



He loves to swim. still.

He knows how to apply goggles.









Aaah. perfect.

He loves swimming buddies.


He knows how to swim, it's catching air that's the problem. So, he stays near the edge.



He's such a sweet boy.
I love his smile.
I love how much he loves me.
We're good buddies.

Things are going well.

Brian's been gone since last Sunday night, he'll be home around midnight this Saturday. I'm surprised how well we're all doing. I've kept plenty busy and the kids have been excellent. Fights are minimal (maybe I'm exaggerating), dinner has gone well enough. I haven't had to pull any teeth to brush anyone's teeth. :) Bedtime is 7pm and they haven't fought it once. They have stayed in their beds all night long, every night so far. I really couldn't ask for things to be better while Brian is away. Well, o.k., more quality time with Spencer. I do need to do that. But other than that, I'm pleasantly surprised.

No, really. things are going well. promise.

wouldn't be lance without a pirate ship

he's been thinking about the hurricanes

Cypress Forest Spray Park--Oldsmar

We met Allison at this Spray park a couple weeks ago. So fun! Thanks for letting us in on this little secret. :) Spencer and I liked it so much we went back with Lance and Brian the following Saturday (those pictures are still in the camera).

There's only one bad thing about this park (I didn't know until I talked with a local about this), they recirculate this water over and over and over. Apparently kids were getting sick from it, so lots of people stopped going (my local friend being one of them). I decided since it's chlorinated, and other kids are out there everyday, oh well. So, we went again and met a local there who told us that the day before when he was there a mom was changing her sons poopy diaper. Rather than taking him to the side and using wipes, she put him in front of a sprayer, put his shorts back on and sent him on to play. Sick. Just sick!

Well, it still didn't deter us (OR HIM! and he witnessed it), and we're on our way there again today. Oh the things we go through for a little fun. I surprise myself too.

his own kind of pirate

Because I needed to move that other post down.

It's weird. Because she's in purple and the chair is maroon, her hair looks red. But it's not, it's still light brown.


Brian took pictures of the boys. "School" pictures as a request from his parents. And since we just bought a tripod he decided to join them. :)